Pacific Urology Merges With Diablo Valley Oncology

CONCORD, Calif., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of Contra Costa County's largest private specialty medical practices announced today an agreement to merge in January, forming the area's first multi-specialty practice in oncology and urology as a hedge against mounting business challenges in a rapidly changing health care landscape.

Pacific Urology is joining forces with Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group into a13-physician group. The practices gave two principal motivations: stronger continuity of care, plus increasing economic pressures, such as a 30-percent decrease in Medicare payments anticipated in 2012.

"The costs of practicing medicine are escalating," said Dr. Stephen Taylor of Pacific Urology. "After exploring options exhaustively, we concluded that a merger secures the future for both organizations and for the quality of patient care."

The practices invested months evaluating an organizational structure to best meet patients' needs through collaborative treatment of cancers of the prostate, kidney and bladder, Taylor said. Both practices will retain their individual names but will now share infrastructure and resources such as information technology, business office processes and clinic locations.

"In the end, it's win-win for us and patients," said Dr. Matthew Sirott, CEO of Diablo Valley Oncology. "Now we'll jointly be able to see more patients in more locations, reduce overhead expenses, and collaborate more closely than ever."

The merger will not affect the ability and enthusiasm for all physicians to continue collaboration with other specialists in the East Bay Area, Sirott said.

"We will work with all partners in the medical community just as we always have. The realities are that none of us has the luxury of forming exclusive professional relationships."

About Pacific Urology

With clinics in Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Brentwood, San Ramon, and Livermore, Pacific Urology is one of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest urology practices. The group's mission is to provide university quality of care in a private practice setting, right in the patients' community. www.PacificUrology.com

About Diablo Valley Oncology

Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group is home to the largest single site for cancer treatment in Contra Costa County. Its seven physicians bring together medical oncology; hematology; chemotherapy; radiation therapy; CT/MRI/PET-CT scans and imaging; clinical trials; research; and supportive care all in one convenient location. DiabloValleyOncology.md

CONTACT: Gina Kremer
303-382-2999
[email protected]

SOURCE Pacific Urology